Book Review: Go Set a Watchman

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
2 of 5 stars

This book was very odd. It wasn't what I expected at all, and so I think that is part of what left me disappointed with it. I can understand why Lee's publisher told her to write another book before releasing this one. This book doesn't even come close to comparing with the beauty of To Kill A Mockingbird. A lot of the thought processes of Scout seem erratic. There were many obscure references that a decently educated person could understand but I think if this book was intended to be read by a larger audience most readers would be discouraged from reading because of them. 

Lee's depiction of Atticus completely destroyed my beliefs about TKAM. She used Atticus' character to make a point through the view point of Scout, but I think she greatly destroyed his character to make some points that were out of character. She wrote him so well the first time, I think she shouldn't have written any more about him. Some characters are too good to be messed with. 

I think the only point that seemed really relevant and important to today's political atmosphere was Scout's realization that she was a strong supporter of states' rights. This is a hot topic in a time in which executive order and Supreme Court rulings are taking a lot away from the 10th amendment giving all other rights and decisions to states. Some of the political moves being made today are going through states rights (legalization of marijuana) and others are not (SCOTUS ruling on homosexual marriages). I think this book could start some interesting discussions about the power of the federal government and its interaction with the power of state governments.

Book Review: The Prophet: Amos

The Prophet: Amos by Francine Rivers
4 of 5 stars

This was one of my favorites out of the Sons of Encouragement series so far because it took a book that most people can't even fathom or understand, including me, and fleshed it out into a story that people can connect with. We see more of the man behind the prophesies and are able to understand the world he was living with. I reread Amos after reading this book, and had an entirely different perspective. In a culture in which people are very conscious of judgment for anything on anyone, it was interesting to see into the world of a man sent to tell the world of God's judgment and then to witness the types of persecution he was willing to endure for God. It was an encouraging story for a modern Christ follower, especially a missionary sent to proclaim the Good News. Inspiring.

Book Review: Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
4 of 5 stars

Jane Austen has always been fun to read, and this is no exception. You can't help but love Fanny and desperately wish throughout the book that her cousin would finally realize her value. My only disappointment was the allotment of this realization to a few pages at the end. I would have liked to see more of how her cousin finally came around. Great book!